www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Any News out of Rome ?

It's 10:52 EST, and I'm sure there has been one or two ballots done. Does anyone have a good source as to what's happening in Rome ?

Brad

The Cardinals have just entered the Sistine Chapel and have now been sealed in away from the world. It will be up to them whether or not they wish to vote tonight or postpone the first ballots until the morn. Naturally, we wont know anything until something comes out of the chimney.

In the last of the General Congregations, the Cardinals agreed that the conclave Cardinals will cast their first ballot in the afternoon of Monday, Aril 18th (Rome Time), and then cast their ballots twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon the next day, and every day thereafter.

Since sworn secrecy is the order of the day, we just have to await the changing of the smoke colors emanating from the Sistine Chapel (and the ringing of the bells of St. Peter's and those of the Churches in Rome, if there is a valid election of the next Pope)!

Amado

Then when will this be? I am working by UK time and according to that they went in at 4:30pm and its now 5:36. The afternoon is rapidly drawing to a close.

Spoken like a true Latin. At what moment did they close the door? How much time between the first and second ballot deposited? When did the pen lift from the paper of the 32nd ballot? How many folds in the paper?

I guess with my chocolate brown skin it would be obvious to any passer by that I had Latin blood running through my veins but thank you John for just qualifying that afro-Carribeans en general are not really of African descent but part of a lost tribe that left the hills of Rome during the Greek invasion of Pyrrus.

Based on the "sealing" of the Sistine Chapel at around 5 p.m. Rome Time, there could only be ONE casting of ballots for today, April 18th, or the Cardinals might just decide to cast their first ballot tomorrow morning!

There are so many antecedent activites before the Cardinal electors can actually write the name of the person on the provided ballots and walk, some slowly by the "older" Cardinals, to the altar and deposit their respective ballots.

Then the individual counting begins and their tabulation! If the required 2/3 (77 votes) majority is either achieved or not, then and only then shall we see a smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel's chimney.

If this series of events did happen, or is happening now, it is estimated (by "watchers" here) that the results, via the smoke, will be seen between 11 p.m. Monday and 1 a.m. Tuesday, Chicago Time (Central Daylight Saving Time)!

So, it seems the Cardinal electors don't want to be rushed!

Amado

First of all, my name isn't John. You have me confused with someone else. I was referring to the Latin Catholic tendency to want to define and specify everything to the point of obsession with legalism - a tendency the Eastern Christians find both amusing and frustrating when dealing with Latins. Generally, you can tell from the tone of the questions whether or not someone is Latin Rite Catholic or a member of Eastern Catholicism or Orthodoxy. The Latins want every detail, and the Easterners will wait until they hear the results. Centuries after the fall of both the Eastern and Western empires, there is still a major difference in cultures. Latins - you just have to love them!

Sorry for calling your John. Whats your name? (another detail request)

Myles, I am privileged to introduce Charles, a Byzantine Catholic Teacher/Organist/Musician,etc., from Tennessee.

Charles, meet Myles, our student Theologian from Oxford.

Amado

Smoke! Dark Grey - No Bells. 1:05 ET I assume that is black. When it fisrt came out my heart jumped, it was white, but quickly turned shades of grey to dark grey almost black. Also, St. Peters Square is packed, flashes going off everywhere.

They are covering it on all the major news channels , some non-stop, and EWTN.

Thanks, Pani Rose, for that update!

So, on to Tuesday for two sessions in the morning and two in the afternoon!

Amado

Thanks Amado. Cool Charlie nice to meet ya. Indeed, I'm watching it too Rose. Black smoke...

I just wish that I can stay online all day...but, I surely have other things to do....

Please Please let us pray for the conclave....

I can see why the Vatican says to wait for the church bells along with the smoke. That smoke was definitely white when it first came from the chimney.